AVA- Mohammad Nabi knocked 81 that led Afghanistan at 210 for 7. In reply, Ireland scored 178 for 8. Kevin O Brien hit the career-best 74 in T20 but went in vain as Rashid Khan demolished the Irish batting-order with his hat trick. However, the Afghan star became the first spinner to get a hat trick in the T20Is.
Earlier, after winning the toss Ireland invited Afghanistan to bat first. Hazratullah Zazai and Usman Ghani gave a solid start to Afghanistan; but this time, Boyd Rankin broke the partnership for 46 as he removed Ghani for 13. Later, Rankin claimed another big wicket of Zazai (31) for this side. Then, Afghans lost Najeeb Tarakai for 17 and Asghar Afghan for 20.
But, the all-rounder Mohammad Nabi took the charge and started his dashing performance. Nabi hit 81 off 36 including 6 fours and 7 sixes and led his team to a big score. However, Afghanistan finally posted 210 for 7. Among others, Najibullah Zadran and Shafiqullah Shafiq scored 12 each. Rashid Khan and Sharafuddin Ashraf were unbeaten at 7 and 3 respectively. Boyd Rankin took 3 for 53.
In reply, Ireland lost Paul Stirling for 10. But Kevin O Brien and Andrew Balbirnie made a 96-run-stand that dragged Iris into the track. Kevin smashed 74 off 47 while Andrew scored 47 off 33 deliveries. The pair was broken by Ziaur Rahman who bowled Andrew out. Then, Rashid Khan came to the stage and showed his performance. He at first stopped Kevin in his final ball of that over, then in the very next over he dismissed George Dockrell (18) and Shane Getkate (2) in the first two deliveries and claimed his hat trick. The spinner took Simi Singh (0) and Joshua Little (6) in the last over of the innings, restricted Ireland 178 for 8. Stuart Poynter and Boyd Rankin were not out for 10 and 2 runs respectively.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan defeated Ireland by 5 wickets in the series opener and by 84 runs in the historical second T20 game. Both teams will now lock horns in five ODIs starting on February 28 at the same venue in Dehradun, which is Afghanistan’s adopted home venue in India. The teams will also play a one-off Test match.
Brief scores
Afghanistan: 210/7
Nabi 81; Rankin 3-53
Ireland: 178/8
O'Brien 74; Rashid 5-27
Afghanistan won by 32 runs